Sequencing, cloning, transcription - these are but a few key techniques behind the current breathtaking advances in molecular biology and biochemistry. As these methods continuosly diversify, biochemists need a sound chemical understanding to keep the pace. Chemists beginning working in the molecular biology lab need an introduction to this field from their point of view. This book serves both: it describes most of the known chemical reactions of nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids in sufficient detail to provide the desired background, and additionally, the fundamental relations between sequence, structure and functionality of nucleic acids are presented. The first edition of this book, which was published in Russian, has immediately become a recognized standard reference. This second, thoroughly revised and updated edition, now published in English, is likely to achieve a similar position in the international scientific community.

The study of nucleic acids is one of the most rapidly developing fields in modern science. The exceptionally important role of the nucleic acids as a key to the understanding of the nature of life is reflected in the enormous number of published works on the subject, including many outstanding monographs and surveys. The pathways of syn thesis and metabolism of nucleic acid,s and the many and varied biological functions of these biopolymers are examined with the utmost detail in the literature. Nearly as much attention has been paid to the macromolecular chemistry of the nucleic acids: elucidation of the size and shape of their molecules, the study of the physicochemical properties of their solutions, and the appropriate methods to be used in such research. The surveys of the chemistry of nucleic acids which have been published so far deal almost entirely with their synthesis and, in particular, with the synthetic chemistry of monomers (nucleosides and nucleotides) ; less attention has been paid to the synthesis of poly nucleotides. There is yet another highly important aspect of the chemistry of nucleic acids which is still in the formative stage, the study of the reactivity of nucleic acid macromolecules and their components. This can make an important contribution to the deter mination of the structure of these remarkable biopolymers and to the correct understanding of their biological functions.

The study of nucleic acids is one of the most rapidly developing fields in modern science. The exceptionally important role of the nucleic acids as a key to the understanding of the nature of life is reflected in the enormous number of published works on the subject, including many outstanding monographs and surveys. The pathways of syn thesis and metabolism of nucleic acids and the many and varied biological functions of these biopolymers are examined with the utmost detail in the literature. Nearly as much attention has been paid to the macromolecular chemistry of the nucleic acids: elucidation of the size and shape of their molecules, the study of the physicochemical properties of their solutions, and the appropriate methods to be used in such research. The surveys of the chemistry of nucleic acids which have been published so far deal almost entirely with their synthesis and, in particular, with the synthetic chemistry of monomers (nucleosides and nucleotides); less attention has been paid to the synthesis of poly nucleotides. There is yet another highly important aspect of the chemistry of nucleic acids which is still in the formative stage, the study of the reactivity of nucleic acid macromolecules and their components. This can make an important contribution to the deter mination of the structure of these remarkable biopolymers and to the correct 'understanding of their biological functions.

New textbooks at all levels of chemistry appear with great regularity. Some fields like basic biochemistry, organic reaction mechanisms, and chemical ther modynamics are well represented by many excellent texts, and new or revised editions are published sufficiently often to keep up with progress in research. However, some areas of chemistry, especially many of those taught at the grad uate level, suffer from a real lack of up-to-date textbooks. The most serious needs occur in fields that are rapidly changing. Textbooks in these subjects usually have to be written by scientists actually involved in the research which is advancing the field. It is not often easy to persuade such individuals to set time aside to help spread the knowledge they have accumulated. Our goal, in this series, is to pinpoint areas of chemistry where recent progress has outpaced what is covered in any available textbooks, and then seek out and persuade experts in these fields to produce relatively concise but instructive introductions to their fields. These should serve the needs of one semester or one quarter graduate courses in chemistry and biochemistry. In some cases the availability of texts in active research areas should help stimulate the creation of new courses. CHARLES R. CANTOR New York Preface This monograph is based on a review on polynucleotide structures written for a book series in 1976.

Life in all its forms is based on nucleic acids which store and transfer genetic information. The book addresses the main aspects of synthesis, hydrolytic stability, solution equilibria of nucleosides and nucleotides as well as base modifications of nucleic acids. The author further describes their structural analogues used as therapeutic drugs, such as antivirals and anticancer agents, and prodrug strategies of nucleotides.

The structure, function and reactions of nucleic acids are central to molecular biology and are crucial for the understanding of complex biological processes involved. Revised and updated Nucleic Acids in Chemistry and Biology 3rd Edition discusses in detail, both the chemistry and biology of nucleic acids and brings RNA into parity with DNA. Written by leading experts, with extensive teaching experience, this new edition provides some updated and expanded coverage of nucleic acid chemistry, reactions and interactions with proteins and drugs. A brief history of the discovery of nucleic acids is followed by a molecularly based introduction to the structure and biological roles of DNA and RNA. Key chapters are devoted to the chemical synthesis of nucleosides and nucleotides, oligonucleotides and their analogues and to analytical techniques applied to nucleic acids. The text is supported by an extensive list of references, making it a definitive reference source. This authoritative book presents topics in an integrated manner and readable style. It is ideal for graduate and undergraduates students of chemistry and biochemistry, as well as new researchers to the field.